sub·sur·face
ˈsəb-ˌsər-fəs 
: earth material (such as rock) near but not exposed at the surface of the ground
sub·sur·face
ˌsəb-ˈsər-fəs
: of, relating to, or being something located beneath a surface and especially underground
Examples of subsurface in a Sentence
Adjective
a sandy wasteland that gave little hint of its subsurface wealth
Recent Examples on the Web
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 9 Feb. 2026
During a recent City Hall meeting, commissioners were told by staff that tunnel builders cannot give a true estimate of cost without conducting a costly geotechnical survey, also known as a subsurface investigation.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, 8 Dec. 2022
After analyzing that data, researchers had a subsurface picture of the rocks, clay and thermal liquid below Yellowstone.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 May 2022
See All Example Sentences for subsurface
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Noun
For instance, studying subsurface cavities is a primary goal of an instrument called the Subsurface Radar Sounder, or SRS, planned for the EnVision mission being developed by the European Space Agency, which can penetrate the planet's surface to depths of several hundred meters.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 9 Feb. 2026
During a recent City Hall meeting, commissioners were told by staff that tunnel builders cannot give a true estimate of cost without conducting a costly geotechnical survey, also known as a subsurface investigation.
—Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
An entire ocean’s worth is unlikely, but a significant amount of subsurface water isn’t.
—John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, 8 Dec. 2022
After analyzing that data, researchers had a subsurface picture of the rocks, clay and thermal liquid below Yellowstone.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 May 2022
See All Example Sentences for subsurface
Cite this Entry
“Subsurface.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subsurface. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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